Artquest has a small part-time team who deliver all of our services, maintain the website and produce new events and projects. All of our staff are also practicing artists, meaning the issues that we write about on this site and the events we produce are relevant and specific to professional practitioners in London.

To deliver our projects, Artquest also works with a large network of partners and umbrella groups, helping us to pool our resources and ensure we don’t duplicate information provided elsewhere.

Since 2001 we have worked with over 60 partners, around half of which are still active and ongoing:

a-n The Artists Information Company  

Founded in 1980, a-n The Artists Information Company is a leading UK agency supporting the practice of visual and applied artists. In 2010 Artquest and a-n formed the A+ partnership to provide a grassroots response to the challenges artists and the visual arts sector face in our uncertain environment and a resilient and sustainable model for future visual arts infrastructure. Together, we will:

• produce events that support exchange and networking amongst artists and their peers with promoters, enablers and funders,
• provide web-based initiatives to support co-learning and foster peer-to-peer development
• research artists’ professional and career development needs and aspirations, and use this to inform our programmes and provide clear signposting for new graduates embarking on a career in the visual arts

The A+ agreement builds on our past collaborations with a-n on projects like the Artists Code of Practice seminars (2004), Future Forecast (2006), AIRtime (2009) as well as less formal information sharing and research gathering.

You can find out more about the A+ project on the launch press release (PDF, 112k)

ACAVA (Association for Cultural Advancement through Art)     

ACAVA is a major provider of affordable artists studios in London, leasing and renovating studios to artists across the capital.

Artquest has collaborated with ACAVA on our <<3 months in Berlin>> and OZ residency programmes, helping us send London-based visual artists and craftspeople to Germany and Australia for three-month supported residencies since 2007.

Alumni Association 

University of the Arts London Alumni Association is made up of over 200,000 alumni and former staff in 148 countries worldwide.

Artquest regularly works with the Alumni Association on their events, including the successful Alumni Weekend networking festival in 2009.

APD Network  

The Artists Professional Development (APD) Network, initiated in July 2001, is a UK-wide intelligence and exchange forum for organisations that are pro-actively developing information, advice, training and professional development services for visual and applied artists. Members range from artist-led organisations to cultural industries bodies and Higher Education institutions. APD operates informally but effectively, responding to the need for discussion and knowledge-sharing by organising networking events and developing joint projects that strategically extend professional development opportunities for artists and trainers.

Artquest is a member of the APD Network.

Art Beijing  

Art Beijing began in 2006 and is an annual art fair focussing on classical and modern fine art. Artquest was invited to Art Beijing in 2009 http://www.artquest.org.uk/projects/archive/archive-2009.htm#beijing to advocate for University of the Arts London and find out about the Chinese art scene for our Artroute guides http://www.artquest.org.uk/artroute/asia/china.htm.

Art Monthly  

Since 1976, Art Monthly has been a leading magazine for contemporary visual art. Published ten times a year, it provides in-depth features, interviews with leading lights, profiles on rising stars and up-to-the-minute coverage of trends from independent critics.

Art Monthly also publishes Henry Lydiate’s Artlaw column, which has been accessible for free on the Artquest website since 2003.

Art Sheffield 

Art Sheffield is a biennial art festival taking place at a range of contemporary visual arts venues around Sheffield, directed by the Sheffield Contemporary Art Forum (SCAF). SCAF is a not-for-profit company working to further the presence and awareness of contemporary art in Sheffield through joint programming, audience development and profile raising activities.

Artquest staff gave a talk at the 2008 Art Sheffield symposium on our Artelier project.

artsdepot  

artsdepot is the only professional arts venue in the London Borough of Barnet and is committed to providing a diverse range of high quality visual and performance arts for everyone. Artquest has given a number of talks at artsdepot.

ARTRIGHT  

ARTRIGHT provides free business, legal and educational tools, documents, information and advice to the visual artists in South Africa. Their philosophy is based on the principle of Ubuntu, and a commitment to the principles of free knowledge development. They support the entire visual arts community with a professional practice resource in art business, legal and educational activities.

Artquest has a web content sharing partnership with ARTRIGHT.

B3 Media  

B3 makes connections between Britain’s multi-cultural communities and the UK’s creative industries â?? uniting the power of digital media with the creative potential of emerging artists and film-makers. Their activities focus on finding and nurturing new talent and connecting this talent with industry.

Artquest worked with B3 Media on our successful Digital Shift programme (2004-2005), a series of new media workshops that equipped artists with the skills and techniques that are the core of new media practice.

The British Council  

The British Council's global arts team works with the best of British creative talent to develop innovative, high-quality events and collaborations that link thousands of artists and cultural institutions around the world, drawing them into a closer relationship with the UK.

Artquest worked with The British Council's Paris office on our original Artroute webiste, giving artists in the UK the information they need to live and work in France.

Byam Shaw 

Founded by the artists, John Byam Shaw and Rex Vicat Cole in 1910 as a school of drawing and painting, Byam Shaw School of Art retains its focus on the study of Fine Art. In 2003 Byam Shaw joined Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, part of the University of the Arts London. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Byam Shaw.

Castlefield Gallery  

Castlefield Gallery is a gallery and resource for contemporary visual artists and their work. Since its founding by Manchester Artists Studio Association (MASA) in 1984, the gallery has been at the forefront of supporting artists and emergent art practices in the UK by supporting the professional careers of artists and curators through research, production, presentation and interpretation.

In 2005, Artquest worked with Castlefield on a reciprocal project, Daytrippers, bringing artists in Manchester and London together for a series of critical conversations and networking events.

CARFAC  

Canadian Artists' Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) is incorporated federally as a non-profit corporation that is the national voice of Canada's professional visual artists. Their mandate is to promote the visual arts in Canada, to promote a socio-economic climate that is conducive to the production of visual arts in Canada, and to conduct research and engage in public education for these purposes.

April Britski, the director of CARFAC, undertook an internship at Artquest in September 2010 to help us better understand the arts scene in Canada.

Central Saint Martins

An art college and cultural centre in one, Central Saint Martins is internationally renowned for the creative energy of its students, staff and graduates. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Central Saint Martins.

Chelsea College of Art and Design

Chelsea College of Art and Design maintains an extraordinary network of human, technical and scholarly resources, situated in an inspiring location alongside Tate Britain. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Crafts Council

The Crafts Council's goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft by growing the markets where craft is bought, sold and collected; supporting crafts makers; researching and championing crafts practice and providing funding and awards to professional makers.

Artquest collaborated with Crafts Council in 2010 on their inaugural Craft Rally, a day-long seminar for makers to exchange information and ideas.

Creative and Cultural Skills

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Craft, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts and bridges the gap between industry, education and the government to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK.

Artquest is on the steering group and research panel for Creative & Cultural Skills Visual Arts Blueprint, a workforce development plan for the visual arts sector in the UK. The Blueprint lays out a series of recommendations and proposed actions to tackle the skills needs of the visual arts sector which Artquest is also helping to deliver.

Creative Careers

Creative Careers is the University of the Arts London careers service for recent graduates, providing information and advice on the crucial first steps in careers across the arts industries.

Artquest works with Creative Careers to provide up-to-date and relevant information and advice, accessible in their office for graduates and students.

Creative People

A national network of ten arts-related advice and information organisations, providing guidance to support the professional development of people working in arts and crafts industries.

Artquest is a member of the Creative People network.

Creative Skills

Creative Skills is the professional development organisation for all creative industries practitioners in Cornwall, providing advice, information, advocacy and networking opportunities for professional artists in the region.

Artquest ran a seminar for the Creative Skills network about arts practice in London, and maintains good links to share information and resources nationally and regionally.

Croydon College

With over 13,000 students each year, Croydon College is one of the largest providers of Further and Higher Education courses in the South East. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Croydon College.

Emerge

Emerge is a visual arts initiative for emerging artists based in the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Waltham Forest and Westminster, supporting artists' networks and professional development. Whether you've just started or you've been practising for a while but could do with a fresh perspective, Emerge’s local events are designed to kick start new projects and reinvigorate old ones. Practical workshops get ideas going, invited experts offer critical feedback, and other artists offer ongoing ideas and support through the project website.

Artquest’s ongoing partnership with Emerge began in 2010 with our involvement and presentations at their annual seminar series , and continues through reciprocal information sharing.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Since Emily Carr University of Art + Design was founded in 1925 it has been a vital part of the Vancouver, British Columbia and Canadian art communities. It is one of the oldest post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and the only one that is dedicated solely to professional education and learning in the arts, media and design.

engage

engage is a membership organisation representing gallery, art and education professionals in the UK and in 15 countries worldwide, and promotes access to, enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts through gallery education.

Artquest has worked with engage on arts education focussed seminars and events to explore and introduce gallery education to our network.

Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a Portuguese private institution of public utility whose statutory aims are in the fields of arts, charity, education and science.

The Foundation supported Artquest's Artlaw website, funding research and development costs.

The Henry Lydiate Partnership

The Henry Lydiate Partnership is a business consultancy that helps clients with projects in all areas of creative and cultural practice, working in partnership, with vision and imagination. It was founded by Henry Lydiate, one of the UK’s most respected visual arts legal specialists, with over 30 years experience in working with artists to resolve their legal problems.

Henry Lydiate is also a Visiting Professor of Artlaw at University of the Arts London, and together with his colleagues provide specialist legal responses to visual artists and craftspeople in London through our free Artlaw advice service.

Henry Lydiate is also the author of the Artlaw archive, and online knowledge bank of art related legal articles published since 1976 in Art Monthly magazine, and available to view for free on Artquest.

University College Falmouth

University College Falmouth is a vibrant and forward-thinking specialist arts college that is a key player in the national and international creative scene. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at University College Falmouth.

Gasworks

Established in 1994, Gasworks is a contemporary art organisation based in South London, housing twelve artists' studios and offering a programme of exhibitions and events, artists' residencies, international fellowships and educational projects. Nine studios are rented to London-based artists and three are reserved for an International Residency Programme for non-UK based artists.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)

The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe's foremost higher education institutions for creative education and research in fine art, design and architecture. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at the GSA.

Goldsmiths College

Internationally renowned for our creative and innovative approach to teaching and research, Goldsmiths offers undergraduate, postgraduate, teacher training and return-to-study opportunities in subjects covering the arts, social sciences, humanities and computing. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Goldsmiths.

The University of Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong is the territory's oldest university, and with a history that stretches back more than 90 years, it has grown with and helped shape the city from which it takes its name.

India Art Fair

India Art Fair, previously known as India Art Summit, shows the best of Indian Modern and Contemporary art at an annual fair. Approximately 85 galleries participate in the General Exhibition Section and the Solo Projects Section; exhibiting a range of paintings, sculptures, photography, mix media, prints, installations, drawings, video art and performances. Artquest was invited to take a stand at India Art Summit in 2009 to advocate for University of the Arts London and find out about the Indian art scene for our Artroute guides.

Jotta

Jotta is an online portfolio presentation and networking site supported by University of the Arts London. Jotta also provides information and advice online, as well as an extensive programme of exhibitions and arts events throughout London involving and promoting the work of its online network.

Artquest syndicates articles and advice to Jotta and reciprocally shares our networks.

Leeds Metropolitan University

Leeds Metropolitan University has almost 30,000 students, 3,000 staff and 300,000 associate students through its network of 24 partner colleges. The University offers a range of undergraduate and post-graduate courses across four faculties - the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology, Faculty of Business and Law, Carnegie Faculty, and the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Liquidación Total

Liquidación Total is a non-profit cultural association that supports, develops and exhibits international contemporary art projects in the Malasaña quarter of Madrid. An artist-led space, Liquidación Total runs seminars and events in critical aspects of contemporary visual art.

Artquest worked with Liquidación Total on our one-off Total Madrid residency in 2008, a supported research and making time for a London-based artist to work overseas.

London College of Communication

The London College of Communication is the first step to a career in media, design and communication through excellence in teaching, practice and research. As a world leader delivering industry-orientated media and design courses, the London College of Communication remains at the forefront of pioneering undergraduate, post graduate and research programmes which are geared to preparing students for successful careers. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at London College of Communication.

M4gastatelier

M4gastatelier is a temporary living, project and work space in the heart of Amsterdam for international artists. It is based in the long-established M4 studios complex, an artist-led co-operative housed in a former letterpress factory comprising artist studios, live/work spaces and creative visual arts and crafts businesses.

Artquest and M4gastatelier collaborate on our current Going Dutch residency, which every year sends a professional London-based artist to Amsterdam for a three-month supported working period.

Manchester Metropolitan University

The UK's 3rd most popular University, receiving over 48,000 applications per year. With links with over 70 professional bodies and associations recognising both the quality and practical focus of our course provision and an extensive portfolio of training and professional development courses, including tailored courses to meet specific business needs. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Manchester Metropolitan University.

University of Melbourne

Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne is a public-spirited institution that makes distinctive contributions to society in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. Melbourne's teaching excellence has been rewarded two years in a row by grants from the Commonwealth Government's Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for Australian universities that demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning

Milchhof

Milchhof is an artist-led studio organisation in Prenzlauerberg, Berlin, in the heart of the creative quarter. Membership comprises visual artists, makers and small creative businesses, and together they maintain and curate a small gallery space on the property. Milchhof also houses the ACAVA live/work studio that Artquest has sent a London-based visual artist for our <<3 months in Berlin>> residency, since 2007.

MyCake

MyCake is an online toolkit to help creative professionals manage the financial side of their business simply and easily. As well as online bookkeeping tools, MyCake provides benchmarking data to anonymously compare income and expenditure between artists and makers at the same stage in their careers.

Artquest is a partner on MyCake, providing information and advice to members and advocating for the service on our networks.

New Work Network

Established in 1997, NWN exists as a ‘community’ to expose, investigate, profile and share ideas and knowledge regarding pioneering arts practices (historic & contemporary) and the significant roles they play within society (past, present & future) and to encourage dialogue and activity across generations around the sustainability, custodianship and legacy of these practices and works.

NFASP (The National Federation of Artists Studio Providers)

The professional membership body for all those engaged in developing and managing affordable studio space for visual artists, NFASP works with everyone from artist-led organisations to major regional and national providers on advocacy, research and support. It also provides useful practical resources for artist studio providers or people thinking on setting them up.

Artquest is a member of NFASP and co-produces events and resources for our site visitors and their members.

no.w.here

no.w.here is an artist-led organisation in London combining film production alongside critical dialogue about contemporary image making. As an artist run organization no.w.here has supported the production of hundreds of artist works, run multiple workshops and critical discussions and actively curated performances, screenings, residencies, publications, events and exhibitions. no.w.here was founded by artists Karen Mirza and Brad Butler. http://www.mirza-butler.net

Artquest has collaborated with no.w.here on a number of workshops and seminars, including Flicker (2004), Cameraless Film and Super 8 Workshop (both 2005).

Own-it

University of the Arts London supported advice and information portal for issues on intellectual property for creative business. The Own-it website contains a large knowledge bank of useful articles and links on any intellectual property related question, as well as an overview of intellectual property and how it can be protected and exploited.

Artquest shares online information and advice with Own-it, and has a reciprocal referral arrangement for enquiries with our Artlaw legal advice service.

Parramatta Artists Studio

Parramatta Artists Studios (PAS), located in the centre of Parramatta, Western Sydney, offer affordable non-residential and live/work studios and exhibition space to emerging and established contemporary artists, craft practitioners and creative industry professionals.

PAS also worked with Artquest on our OZ residency, a three-month work period offered to London-based visual artists and craftspeople to make a new body of work in Australia, from 2005-2009.

Rational Rec

Rational Rec is an interdisciplinary arts, artist-led commissioning agency based in London. Rational Rec was commissioned by Artquest to host our Fifth Anniversary Party at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, commissioning new work by London-based artists and presenting previous pieces by international artists with strong links to the capital.

Rise Art

Rise Art helps talented emerging artists get discovered by providing artists with exposure, feedback and endorsement for their work from a panel of respected art world professionals. Selected artists are featured on the site at offline events and galleries worldwide.

Artquest’s programme manager, Stephen Beddoe, is a selector for Rise Art’s artist submissions programme and a regular contributor to the site.

RMIT University

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is one of Australia's original and leading educational institutions. As an innovative, global university of technology, with its heart in the city of Melbourne, RMIT has an international reputation for excellence in work-relevant education and high quality research, and engagement with the needs of industry and community.

Royal College of Art

The RCA has a distinctive role in preparing its postgraduate students for careers in art, design and the creative sector. Courses are taught by internationally renowned artists, practitioners and theorists, and students have a unique opportunity to study art in a design environment, and design in an art environment. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at the Royal College of Art.

SEE

Student Enterprise & Employability (SEE) supports UAL students and graduates to develop enterprise and employability skills, and make and take opportunities. They want to help individuals fulfil their potential as practitioners, employees and entrepreneurs.

Space Studios

Space Studios provides support, resources and studios to artists in London, and has done so since 1968. Their respected gallery in Hackney is a platform for artists to meet, exhibit and talk about their work, and encourages a broad public to engage with this creativity.

Artquest has collaborated with Space Studios on a number of large scale conferences and seminars, such as a web streaming video workshop (2004) and our Value Added conference (2008).

Sydney College of Arts

Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) is the visual arts faculty of the University of Sydney. SCA is a premier provider of contemporary art education and research around the world.

Trans Artists

Trans Artists is a knowledge centre on artist-in-residence opportunities, with all about facts, use and value of international artist-in-residence programs as well as other opportunities for artists to stay and work elsewhere 'for art's sake'. Artquest has a long-standing collaborative relationship with Trans Artists in many of our international projects.

UAL Widening Participation

The University of the Arts London Widening Participation centre helps young people from a wide range of backgrounds access art and design higher education. They maintain and develop strong links with schools and FE colleges within London, whilst recognising our national and international leadership role in widening participation to the creative arts sector.

Artquest’s Circle Line project was funded and supported by UAL Widening Participation in 2009, which provided a studio, training and support for a recent UAL graduate to work with young people around London and encourage them to see a career in the arts as viable, enjoyable and productive.

University of Westminster

The University of Westminster provides high quality higher education and research in both national and international contexts for the intellectual, social and professional development of the students and for the economic and cultural enrichment of London and wider communities. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at the University of Westminster.

Wimbledon College of Art

The academic provision of Wimbledon College of Art is divided into three academic schools - School of Foundation Studies, School of Fine Art and School of Theatre. These deliver a suite of specialist art and design courses ranging from pre-foundation and foundation to undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as providing research supervision for students undertaking a research programme of study. Artquest has given a number of talks to students at Wimbledon College of Art.

Visiting Arts

Visiting Arts strengthens intercultural understanding through the arts through providing information and intelligence to help people engage in intercultural activity, providing opportunities for artists and cultural professionals to explore new connections and by expanding the skills and knowledge of artists and cultural workers. Their website provides free online resources and an archive of past projects for the benefit of artists looking to work internationally.

Artquest worked with Visiting Arts on our collaborative Future Thinking (2010) seminar, looking at the impact and development of artist residencies in the digital age. We maintain close links with Visiting Arts and regularly share information on our Artroute and other international projects.

Visual Arts UK

VAUK was formed in 2009 as an alliance of independent representative and membership organisations that all have a national or UK wide remit and reach. Membership, which represents the full spectrum of visual arts activity across the UK and the interests of approximately 60,000 visual arts workers, is currently made up of:

• a-n The Artists Information Company / AIR
• Artquest
• AXIS
• The Contemporary Art Society
• The Crafts Council
• engage
• International Curators Forum
• National Federation of Artist Studio Providers (NFASP)
  
• Visual Arts and Galleries Association (VAGA)

VAUK is committed to securing greater recognition for the value of the contemporary visual arts and crafts within 21C society and has come together primarily to:

• Inform and influence national policy as it affects the visual arts; co-ordinating approaches on policy and initiatives that affect the sector and creating common responses when appropriate
• Provide a platform for dialogue and consultation with Non Departmental Public Bodies that have a funding and strategic remit for arts, culture and the creative industries and to further collaboration
• Share intelligence, strategy and forward plans in order to build the capacity of the partners, develop leadership and enhance the public benefit that they collectively provide
• Provide a focus for dialogue and consultation with other visual arts and cultural fora and national networks

Whitechapel Gallery

The Whitechapel Art Gallery was founded in 1901 to bring great art to the people of east London. Internationally acclaimed for its exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and its pioneering education and public events programmes, the Gallery has premiered international artists such as Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Nan Goldin, and provided a showcase for Britain’s most significant artists from Gilbert & George to Lucian Freud, Peter Doig to Mark Wallinger.

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